The LC3 Chairperson for Nyamwamba Division in Kasese Municipality, Pimako Kasereka, is sympathizing with traders whose structures are being demolished during the ongoing enforcement exercise.
The nationwide operation aims at restoring trade order by removing illegal structures and directing traders to operate within gazetted and enclosed market premises.
He argues that traders should deserve at least six months to prepare and identify alternative locations for their businesses.
As a local authority, he fears small-scale traders would incur losses therefore struggling to service loans they got from financial institutions, warning that the abrupt demolitions could leave many traders jobless.
In a related development, the LC1 Chairperson for Basecamp Lower Kigutiha, Jafari, has submitted a letter to the office of the Kasese Resident District Commissioner, Lt Limbial Joe, seeking engagement with financial institutions in the district to halt interest charges on loans acquired by the affected traders.
“Since traders’ businesses have been disrupted, continued loan interest accumulation will worsen their financial burden,” the letter reads in part.
He further proposed that the government should consider extending trading licenses for the affected businesses to cover the period during which they are unable to operate.
